Jayson Tatum apparently admitted he'd trade himself for Anthony Davis

Jayson Tatum apparently admitted he'd trade himself for Anthony Davis

Jayson Tatum is one of the most talented young players in the NBA. But he's also realistic.

If the Boston Celtics pursue a trade for Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis this summer, there's a very good chance New Orleans would demand Tatum in return. The 20-year-old is the Celtics' No. 1 trade asset, after all, and the Pelicans would be silly to settle for anything less than a king's ransom in exchange for a player like Davis.

So, is landing Davis worth giving up Tatum? Celtics radio color commentator Cedric Maxwell believes so, and that led to a surprising admission from the player himself.

As Maxwell explained to host Adam Kaufman on CLNS' "Celtics Beat" podcast, Jayson Tatum's father, Justin Tatum, took exception to Maxwell's insistence that Boston should trade his son in a heartbeat if it meant acquiring Davis.

Maxwell continued (his story comes around the 40-minute mark of the podcast):

"Jayson Tatum's dad came to me ... and said, 'I've got a bone to pick with you. ... You said you'd trade my son for Anthony Davis.' And I said, 'And?' And he said, 'Well, I probably would trade him too if he wasn't my son.' "

Maxwell then took that story to Jayson, who came right out with it.

"Yeah, I'd trade me too for Anthony Davis," Tatum told Maxwell.

Before Celtics fans take this the wrong way: Tatum isn't demanding a trade. He doesn't want out of Boston. He and his father simply are praising the talents of Davis, a transformative talent who's one of the top five players in the league. And if such a player becomes available, everyone should be on the table, even a budding young star like Tatum.

Apparently no one knows this more than Tatum himself. Score one for self-awareness.

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.

Smart and Bembry were separated after they exchanged words as players lined up for a jump ball. Smart was restrained by teammates and coaches but broke free, charged toward Bembry and appeared to throw a punch.

Smart, who had drawn a technical foul earlier in the game, was assessed a second tech and was ejected. Bembry also was called for a technical foul following a video review.

Smart was unavailable after the game. Bembry said of Smart, “That’s what he does. You obviously see him doing that plenty of times. It happens. I just tried to keep my cool. I’m trying to win the game.”

HOW TO WATCH

ANALYSIS AND REACTION

BEFORE THE GAME: At 5:30 p.m., Celtics Pregame Live presented by TD Bank gets you ready for the game with reports from Kyle Draper, Chris Mannix, Mike Gorman, Brian Scalabrine, A. Sherrod Blakely, Chris Forsberg and Danielle Trotta. Watch on NBC Sports Boston or click here for the livestream.

AFTER THE GAME: As soon as the game ends, tune to Celtics Postgame Live presented by New England Ford for analysis, commentary and player reaction. Watch on NBC Sports Boston or click here for the livestream.